I have not forgotten you...
I remember that I was going to tell you how to win these vocal competitions. I still am....
I got involved in watching Americas Got Talent, and The Voice. The Voice had the potential to be very good..... but in the end.... the best singer did not win !! Why is that... Because.. once again... it was not about talent. It turned out to be a popularity contest in the end. It is unfortunate that it did.... We could really miss out on some great musicians.
As I was watching Americas got Talent.... it was said to see so many singers and others state that if they could not continue to the winning round... their career and life was over. If our most popular artist of any era thought like that there would be huge gaps in our ARTS history. I say that because.... most of he greatest artist in any genre wee not huge contest winners to become successful. If you feel that is the only way you will be successful, maybe you entered the ARTS for the wrong reason. We all see famous people.... and believe me not being a winner of a talent contest is no reason to quit on your dream.
I heard one young man say.. he was 28 years old.. and if he could not get a record deal this year... he might as well quit ! Well, If I had that attitude I would not have a music career at all. I received my first record deal at the age of 32 !! and have been doing rather well since then.
If you want to do music to get rich.... it might happen!! More than likely it wont. it takes more than wanting to be rich to be a success in this business. If you don't feel a burning desire to perform for an audience, and please them... and be accepted as an artist of talent. maybe you should look elsewhere.
The money is a by product of a great artist. If you are an incredible talent.... the riches will come in different ways. Some of them will be monetary.... but there are more ways than that.
My favorite payment.... was when a young man told me his friend had a terminal disease . He liked to listen to my CD, because it made him feel better... and helped him to ease the pain of his inevitable passing. No amount of money could make me feel better than that.... my talent eased another persons discomfort. I couldn't ask for higher praise than that !
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
I NEED YOU !!
I need your help to make this new blog successful!
Tell your friends and other singers that you know.... to join with me and help make this page a huge success !! I would love to have your input also.... what would you like me to help you with.. ? I am focusing on singers... but I am not limited to singers. For some reason we don't seem to get the information as singers that instrumentalist do. Drop by my blog and leave suggestions, ask questions and lets get it going strong !!
Tell your friends and other singers that you know.... to join with me and help make this page a huge success !! I would love to have your input also.... what would you like me to help you with.. ? I am focusing on singers... but I am not limited to singers. For some reason we don't seem to get the information as singers that instrumentalist do. Drop by my blog and leave suggestions, ask questions and lets get it going strong !!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Singing and competition
It's that time of year....
"X-factor" is holding auditions for a new season. "The Voice", a show for singers is starting.
"American Idol",is coming to a close. There are many of these talent search shows all over the world,including dancing,acting and singing. I have a question for you. Are these shows truly talent based ... Or do they end up being popularity contests? It seems once you get past the initial judging stages, it is left to the audience to decide the final winner. I understand that people hope that by the time that part of the show comes around...only the best people are left to chose from. Are they...? Are the best of the best left..? It has to be difficult for the judges to decide who makes it to the final. But if they have gone that far....do you think they should also weigh-in on the final vote? That final decision is a tough one. Without knowing the true figures of the American Idol show, it seems like the more successful of the competitors were NOT the winners! It seems the top cd sales have come from artist that were not the audiences choice. Kelly Clarkson (season 1), Fantasia Barrino (season 3) and Carrie Underwood (season 4)have been the most successful of the winners. That's only three first place winners out of nine seasons. Can you tell me ...who won season nine? ( Lee DeWyze is the answer. Now, I am not saying that the winners are not talented... They have good record sales and I am sure they are financially successful....but how many are familiar with Clay Aitkens? Jennifer Hudson? They did not win....but continue to play sold out concerts and record sales that far outreach many of the winners...
Ok.... I bring this point up for a couple of reasons. I want you to tell me....should they change the system of voting? Are truly the best performers winning? It seems some of the best ARE making it to the final dozen or so.... But how can we guarantee a winner will be " THE AMERICAN IDOL". The best of the best? Or can we expect this competition to be a true barometer of taste in music?
Finally, why I have decided to talk about this particular subject..?
Next blog I will tell you how to win a vocal competition!
I'll see you next time!!
"X-factor" is holding auditions for a new season. "The Voice", a show for singers is starting.
"American Idol",is coming to a close. There are many of these talent search shows all over the world,including dancing,acting and singing. I have a question for you. Are these shows truly talent based ... Or do they end up being popularity contests? It seems once you get past the initial judging stages, it is left to the audience to decide the final winner. I understand that people hope that by the time that part of the show comes around...only the best people are left to chose from. Are they...? Are the best of the best left..? It has to be difficult for the judges to decide who makes it to the final. But if they have gone that far....do you think they should also weigh-in on the final vote? That final decision is a tough one. Without knowing the true figures of the American Idol show, it seems like the more successful of the competitors were NOT the winners! It seems the top cd sales have come from artist that were not the audiences choice. Kelly Clarkson (season 1), Fantasia Barrino (season 3) and Carrie Underwood (season 4)have been the most successful of the winners. That's only three first place winners out of nine seasons. Can you tell me ...who won season nine? ( Lee DeWyze is the answer. Now, I am not saying that the winners are not talented... They have good record sales and I am sure they are financially successful....but how many are familiar with Clay Aitkens? Jennifer Hudson? They did not win....but continue to play sold out concerts and record sales that far outreach many of the winners...
Ok.... I bring this point up for a couple of reasons. I want you to tell me....should they change the system of voting? Are truly the best performers winning? It seems some of the best ARE making it to the final dozen or so.... But how can we guarantee a winner will be " THE AMERICAN IDOL". The best of the best? Or can we expect this competition to be a true barometer of taste in music?
Finally, why I have decided to talk about this particular subject..?
Next blog I will tell you how to win a vocal competition!
I'll see you next time!!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Welcome back to the next edition of "For Singers Only".
I would like to take this time to talk about a topic that I am always asked about by young performers. The most common term that is used to describe this condition is "Stage Fright". I am neither a psychologist or psychiatrist and if this condition is of such seriousness that you cannot function as a performer, I suggest you contact one of these professionals and get yourself evaluated.
What I often find when singers are talking of "stage fright", is usually just a case of being nervous before they are ready to perform. " Butterflies", as they are sometimes called are normal before a performance. That nervous energy that you feel before you have to go on stage. To some..it is just an energy that is building up inside. They consider that energy gives them an edge an awareness of being alive. That charge or spark that will help them through there performance. Others feel it as a pressure or a nervousness that will only enhance their chances of making a mistake. There are a couple of techniques people use to overcome this " fear". The most common is the one that they teach you in speech class. The idea of viewing your audience as being naked. The concept being if they are naked, there is nothing for you to be nervous about. They are the ones who are in the awkward situation....not you!
My concept of dealing with this nervousness before performing is similar. I believe that some nervous energy is good. It keeps you on your toes and reminds us to focus on the job at hand. Taking that energy and focusing it into your performance helps you to put on an energetic show. If it is controlled properly.
Another way I instruct young singers to deal with this is to sneak a peak at your audience. Then realize they are there to hear you. They have come to support you and your music. They had other options they could have taken tonight but they choose to be here listening to you. Think of the love you both share of music and realize that not only do you want to do well for them. They are wrapping you with their warm embrace and accepting you to guide them through this evening of music and entertainment. No one comes out with the intent of disliking you...YOU are actually in control and they have given that control to you! I often tell my young friends that when I truly get nervous about performing...is if I were to come out on stage and NO one is there! That would frighten me ! So next time you feel that nervousness stars to creep up on you. Turn the tables on it and remember, we have come to see you....share with you our love of music and our appreciation of your interpretation of the songs.
Take that energy and use it to take both yourself, your music and your audience to new heights I guarantee after you come off the stage... You will feel great, excited and exhausted and know that you have taken another step to conquering your "stage fright".
Feel free to leave comments or questions and I will answer them here in the "blogosphere".
Any topics you want me to over for you...let me know...and I'll see what I can do!
See you next time!
I would like to take this time to talk about a topic that I am always asked about by young performers. The most common term that is used to describe this condition is "Stage Fright". I am neither a psychologist or psychiatrist and if this condition is of such seriousness that you cannot function as a performer, I suggest you contact one of these professionals and get yourself evaluated.
What I often find when singers are talking of "stage fright", is usually just a case of being nervous before they are ready to perform. " Butterflies", as they are sometimes called are normal before a performance. That nervous energy that you feel before you have to go on stage. To some..it is just an energy that is building up inside. They consider that energy gives them an edge an awareness of being alive. That charge or spark that will help them through there performance. Others feel it as a pressure or a nervousness that will only enhance their chances of making a mistake. There are a couple of techniques people use to overcome this " fear". The most common is the one that they teach you in speech class. The idea of viewing your audience as being naked. The concept being if they are naked, there is nothing for you to be nervous about. They are the ones who are in the awkward situation....not you!
My concept of dealing with this nervousness before performing is similar. I believe that some nervous energy is good. It keeps you on your toes and reminds us to focus on the job at hand. Taking that energy and focusing it into your performance helps you to put on an energetic show. If it is controlled properly.
Another way I instruct young singers to deal with this is to sneak a peak at your audience. Then realize they are there to hear you. They have come to support you and your music. They had other options they could have taken tonight but they choose to be here listening to you. Think of the love you both share of music and realize that not only do you want to do well for them. They are wrapping you with their warm embrace and accepting you to guide them through this evening of music and entertainment. No one comes out with the intent of disliking you...YOU are actually in control and they have given that control to you! I often tell my young friends that when I truly get nervous about performing...is if I were to come out on stage and NO one is there! That would frighten me ! So next time you feel that nervousness stars to creep up on you. Turn the tables on it and remember, we have come to see you....share with you our love of music and our appreciation of your interpretation of the songs.
Take that energy and use it to take both yourself, your music and your audience to new heights I guarantee after you come off the stage... You will feel great, excited and exhausted and know that you have taken another step to conquering your "stage fright".
Feel free to leave comments or questions and I will answer them here in the "blogosphere".
Any topics you want me to over for you...let me know...and I'll see what I can do!
See you next time!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Hello and Welcome !!
My Name is Dr. Kevin Mahogany.
I am a professional vocalist and this blog is for vocalist of all types. SInce this is the first one.. I should give you a little background bout myself.. and why I decided to write a blog for vocalist. I started music lessons like most people did... on piano. My brother and sister did at the same time. Even my mother took lessons... if nothing else but to make sure were there and on time !! WE all had a chance to switch instruments later. I went to clarinet ... and was playing proficiently by the age of twelve. Enough so that they switched me to tenor sax in junior high. Thats when things started rolling. I started playing Baritone sax in a professional big band that same year. Playing sax, and clarinet were what everyone always saw me doing.... through high school and in to college. No one knew that I was singing on the side... not professionally.... but singing A LOT!!
It was my senior year in high school I decided to join my church choir. THen the dam burst open.... everyone knew me as the tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet player .... where did the singing come from? Well I went on to Baker University, in Baldwin City, Kansas and played all of the instruments.. as well as starting to really focus on singing. There were no Jazz programs to speak of back then.. so I went through School.. getting my Bachelor of FINE ARTS. I went to one semester of Grad school for classical voice... but that was it. I went back home started singing around my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.
To make a long story shorter, I joined groups, formed groups, left groups... but i always found myself singing. i finally got a break to sing in Chicago and was discovered by Gust Tsilis. He was representing ENJA at that time. He suggested I send my material to him in NY.
Jumping a head a little more.. I ended up signing with Enja records out of Germany. I went on to do four records for them. I left Enja to join Warner Brothers records. Four records later it was time to move on. I recorded one for Telarc records... and moved ahead to focus on starting my own record label.
During that lengthy time span... I have been blessed with teaching private voice lessons and coaching students of all ages. I have taught at Berklee College of Music, and The University of Miami.
In the year 2001 I received an honorary doctorate from Baker University.
That is how I got here to where I am now....
I hope the information that I share with you here in my blog will help you in some small way...to understand more about this business... and your business as well as the other musicians around you. Keep coming back to check in ... and see what little pearls of wisdom ( hopefully ) I will have and be able to share with you. I will look forward to meeting and interacting with new people... vocalist and non-vocalist a like.
For more information about me... feel free to go to my web page:
www.KEVINMAHOGANY.COM
I will look forward to seeing you soon !!
I am a professional vocalist and this blog is for vocalist of all types. SInce this is the first one.. I should give you a little background bout myself.. and why I decided to write a blog for vocalist. I started music lessons like most people did... on piano. My brother and sister did at the same time. Even my mother took lessons... if nothing else but to make sure were there and on time !! WE all had a chance to switch instruments later. I went to clarinet ... and was playing proficiently by the age of twelve. Enough so that they switched me to tenor sax in junior high. Thats when things started rolling. I started playing Baritone sax in a professional big band that same year. Playing sax, and clarinet were what everyone always saw me doing.... through high school and in to college. No one knew that I was singing on the side... not professionally.... but singing A LOT!!
It was my senior year in high school I decided to join my church choir. THen the dam burst open.... everyone knew me as the tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet player .... where did the singing come from? Well I went on to Baker University, in Baldwin City, Kansas and played all of the instruments.. as well as starting to really focus on singing. There were no Jazz programs to speak of back then.. so I went through School.. getting my Bachelor of FINE ARTS. I went to one semester of Grad school for classical voice... but that was it. I went back home started singing around my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.
To make a long story shorter, I joined groups, formed groups, left groups... but i always found myself singing. i finally got a break to sing in Chicago and was discovered by Gust Tsilis. He was representing ENJA at that time. He suggested I send my material to him in NY.
Jumping a head a little more.. I ended up signing with Enja records out of Germany. I went on to do four records for them. I left Enja to join Warner Brothers records. Four records later it was time to move on. I recorded one for Telarc records... and moved ahead to focus on starting my own record label.
During that lengthy time span... I have been blessed with teaching private voice lessons and coaching students of all ages. I have taught at Berklee College of Music, and The University of Miami.
In the year 2001 I received an honorary doctorate from Baker University.
That is how I got here to where I am now....
I hope the information that I share with you here in my blog will help you in some small way...to understand more about this business... and your business as well as the other musicians around you. Keep coming back to check in ... and see what little pearls of wisdom ( hopefully ) I will have and be able to share with you. I will look forward to meeting and interacting with new people... vocalist and non-vocalist a like.
For more information about me... feel free to go to my web page:
www.KEVINMAHOGANY.COM
I will look forward to seeing you soon !!
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